AP®PhysicsCollege BoardPhysics 1: Algebra-BasedExam QuestionsUnit 3: Work, Energy & PowerWork

Work (College Board AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based): Exam Questions

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1
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1 mark

Car A is stuck in a muddy ditch. Car B stops to help and fastens a rope between Car A and Car B to tow Car A out of the mud. The engine revs and mud is thrown by the tires of Car B, but Car A does not move from its position in the ditch.

Car A has a mass of 1500 kg, and Car B has a mass of 2000 kg. Which statement is correct for the work done by Car B on Car A.

  • There is zero work done.

  • The work done is dependent on the force applied by Car B on Car A.

  • Energy is transferred into the system by Car B's engine, so the work done is positive.

  • Energy is transferred away from the system due to the mud spray, so the work done is negative.

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2
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1 mark

A variable force is exerted on an object, causing a displacement. Which of the following can be used to determine the work done by the applied force on the object?

  • W = Fd

  • W = F∥d

  • W = Fd(cos θ)

  • Area under force-versus-displacement graph

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3
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Which of the following statements is correct for the work done on an object?

  • The work done on an object by a non-conservative force is path-independent.

  • The work done on a system will be zero if the applied force is non-conservative and the system returns to its initial configuration.

  • The work done by a conservative force on a system is dependent only on the initial and final positions of the objects.

  • The work done on a system by conservative forces is affected by the amount of energy dissipated to the surroundings.

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4
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1 mark

A worker pushes against a heavy box with a force of 200 N, but the box does not move.

Which of the following statements correctly explains why no work is done on the box?

  • The force is not large enough to overcome friction, so no energy is transferred to the box.

  • Work requires motion, and since there is no displacement, no work is done.

  • The worker is not applying the force continuously, so no work is done.

  • The force is perpendicular to the intended displacement, resulting in zero work.

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5
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Graph of force versus displacement. Force starts at 10 N, between 0 and 3 m, then drops to 0 N between 3 m to 6 m. From 6 m to 7 m the force is zero. Between 8 m and 9 m, force increases from 0 N to 3 N. Force remains constant between 8 m and 12 m, then decreases to zero between 12 m and 14 m.

The graph shows the force applied to an object as a function of its displacement. The object moves along a straight path under the influence of this force.

Which of the following statements correctly describes the work done on the object during its motion from 0 m to 6 m?

  • The work done is zero because the force decreases to zero in the section 0 m to 6 m.

  • The work done is positive and equal to the area under the force-displacement graph for the section 0 m to 6 m.

  • The work done is negative because the force decreases over the second half of the motion in the section 0 m to 6 m.

  • The work done is proportional to the final value of the force at 6 m.

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1
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A constant force is exerted on an object of mass 0.25 kg in the direction of the object's displacement. The object is accelerated at 2.0 m/s2 over a distance of 1.75 m.

Which of the following correctly shows the work done on the object?

  • 0.87 N

  • 0.87 J

  • 0.88 N

  • 0.88 N·m

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2
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A 22 kg crate is pulled along a horizontal surface for 5.2 m using a rope with a tension force of 27 N at an angle of 32° to the horizontal. Which of the following values is correct for the work done on the crate?

  • 110 N·m

  • 120 N·m

  • 130 N·m

  • 140 N·m

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3
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1 mark

A 5.24 kg box is pushed 2.13 m across the floor. A 24.3 N force is applied at 32° from the horizontal to push the box.

What is the work done by the applied force?

  • −52 J

  • −44 J

  • 44 J

  • 52 J

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4
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1 mark

As a skier descends a hill, friction acts as a nonconservative force. How does this affect the skier’s total mechanical energy?

  • It increases the skier’s total mechanical energy by converting gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy.

  • It decreases the skier’s total mechanical energy by converting mechanical energy into other forms, such as heat.

  • It has no effect on the skier’s total mechanical energy because energy dissipated to the surroundings is replaced by potential energy being converted to kinetic energy.

  • Mechanical energy will be conserved when the skier returns to the top of the slope.

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5
1 mark

A person applies a force to a crate in motion on a frictionless surface. The angle between the applied force and the displacement of the crate gradually increases from 45° to 120°.

Which of the following best describes how the work done by the force and the kinetic energy of the crate change as the angle increases?

  • The work done begins as negative but becomes positive, and the kinetic energy of the crate increases then decreases.

  • The work done begins as negative but becomes positive, and the kinetic energy of the crate decreases then increases.

  • The work done begins as positive but becomes zero, and the kinetic energy of the crate remains constant.

  • The work done begins as positive but becomes negative. The kinetic energy of the crate increases then decreases.

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1
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1 mark

A 12.34 kg block slides down a 4.75 m incline at an angle of 27° to the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.18.

Which of the following is the total work done on the block?

  • −360 Nm

  • −172 Nm

  • 172 Nm

  • 360 Nm

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2
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A LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey maps the surface of an area to reveal features of the landscape beneath vegetation.

An ultralight aircraft with a mass of 475 kg takes off from a clearing to conduct a LiDAR survey at a cruising altitude of 1200 m. The aircraft accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed of 18.7 m/s over a distance of 263.5 m while traveling due north. Air resistance provides a counterforce of 155 N. After completing the survey and mapping the grid, the aircraft returns and lands at the same position.

Which of the following correctly describes the percentage of the engine's work used to overcome air resistance during the period of acceleration prior to takeoff and the total work done by conservative forces in the duration of the trip?

% work done to overcome air resistance

Work done by conservative forces

A.

33%

0 J

B.

67%

0 J

C.

33%

5.7×106 J

D.

67%

5.7×106 J

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    3
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    1 mark

    A 15.65 kg block is pushed up a 6.37 m incline at an angle of 28° to the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.22. If the work done by the applied force is 678 J, what is the ratio of the frictional force Ff to the applied force Fapalong the incline?

    • 0.22

    • 0.28

    • 0.77

    • 3.51

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